From the companion study book of Lies Women Believe, the question was:
Chapter 4, Day 2, Question #2: Read Galatians 5:19-21. List the acts of the flesh. While different sins may have different consequences, are any of these sins 'less sinful' than the others in God's eyes?
I've read this list before, several times in fact, but haven't ever really stopped to ponder upon each one and try to gain a better understanding...one word in particular 'jumped' out at me. Witchcraft. I'd recently read a blog post (Why is the Charismatic Movement Thriving in Africa?) about how the charismatic movement in Africa was similar in practice to that of witch doctors. When we have the wrong mind set about something, we're more apt to swallow anything. Lies, sweet little lies.
Adultery - G3430 - From G3431; adultery. (Used 4x in 4 verses)
- G3431 - From G3432; to commit adultery.
- G3432 - Perhaps a primary word; a (male) paramour; figuratively apostate.
Apostate - that's an interesting word. From dictionary.com: a person who forsakes his religion, cause, party, etc.
Fornication - From G4203; harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively idolatry. (Used 8x in 7 verses)
- G4203 - From G4204; to act the harlot, that is, (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry.
- G4204 - Feminine of G4205; a strumpet; figuratively an idolater.
- G4205 - From πέρνημι pernēmi (to sell; akin to the base of G4097); a (male) prostitute (as venal), that is, (by analogy) a debauchee (libertine).
- G4097 - The first is a reduplicated and prolonged form of the second (which occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses); contracted from περάω peraō (to traverse; from the base of G4008); to traffic (by travelling), that is, dispose of as merchandise or into slavery (literally or figuratively).
My, I'm interested to know the definition of idolatry listed below.
- G169 - From G1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of G2508 (meaning cleansed); impure (ceremonially, morally (lewd) or specifically (demonic)).
Lasciviousness - From a compound of G1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed σελγής selgēs (of uncertain derivation, but apparently meaning continent); licentiousness (sometimes including other vices). (Used 9x in 9 verses)
Also translated as wantonness and filthy conversation. What is continent? Not as in land mass. Dictionary.com #7 - exercising or characterized by restraint in relation to the desires or passions and especially to sexual desires; temperate.
Other vices? Hmmm...I'll have to ponder upon this one a tad more.
- G1497 - From G1491; an image (that is, for worship); by implication a heathen god, or (plural) the worship of such.
- G1491 - From G1492; a view, that is, form (literally or figuratively).
- G1492 - A primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent, G3700 and G3708; properly to see (literally or figuratively); by implication (in the perfect only) to know.
- G2999 - From G3000; ministration of God, that is, worship.
- G3000 - From λάτρις latris (a hired menial); to minister (to God), that is, render religious homage.
Witchcraft - G5331 - From G5332; medication (“pharmacy”), that is, (by extension) magic (literal or figurative). (Used 3x in 3 verses)
- G5332 - From φάρμακον pharmakon (a drug, that is, spell giving potion); a druggist (“pharmacist”) or poisoner, that is, (by extension) a magician.
Now that's interesting, especially with the proliferation of 'medicines' and 'medications' for those who are unstable or have mental issues. Are the medicines truly helping or are they compounding the problem? So Google....and find this, which is, simply amazing. Tell me lies, sweet little lies. It's a lengthy read - 2 parts in fact - but substantiates how Big Pharm isn't really out to help - its all about the $, that and control. People who are on 'drugs' are easier to control. Slaves work better that way. (To read my entire RANT.)
Hatred - G2189 - Feminine of G2190; hostility; by implication a reason for opposition.
- G2190 - From a primary word ἔχθω echthō (to hate); hateful (passively odious, or actively hostile); usually as a noun, an adversary (especially Satan).
Variance - G2054 - Of uncertain affinity; a quarrel, that is, (by implication) wrangling. (Used 9x in 9 verses)
Emulations - G2205 - From G2204; properly heat, that is, (figuratively) “zeal” (in a favorable sense, ardor; in an unfavorable one, jealousy, as of a husband [figuratively of God], or an enemy, malice). (Used 17x in 17 verses)- Strife - Romans 13:13, 1 Corinthians 3:3, Philippians 1:15, 1 Timothy 6:4
- Debate - Romans 1:29, 2 Corinthians 12:20
- Contentions - 1 Corinthians 1:11, Titus 3:9
- G2204 - A primary verb; to be hot (boil, of liquids; or glow, of solids), that is, (figuratively) be fervid (earnest).
I am absorbing, or reabsorbing, this partial list (Part II to follow) - pondering upon how I was 'boiling' when I researched the word witchcraft. Was this righteous anger? There is a difference. Which made me stop...the list of behaviors which manifest, are these found in a Christian? According to Gill on "Now the works of the flesh are manifest" - he states:
"By "flesh" is meant corrupt nature, as before, and by the works of it, not only external acts of sin, but inward lusts; for such are here mentioned among its works, as "hatred", "wrath", "envyings", &c. and both external and internal acts are so called, because they spring from the flesh, or corrupt nature, and are what that urges and solicits to, and are wrought thereby, and are what denominate and show men to be carnal: these are said to be "manifest"; not that they are all, and always publicly done, and are open to the sight of men; for they are works of darkness, and often done in secret, though they are always manifest to God the searcher of hearts, and will be brought to light in the day of judgment; but they are known to be sins in some measure by the light of nature, and especially by the law of God; and a clear case it is, that they are contrary to the Spirit, both to the Spirit of God, and to the principle of grace he forms in the heart; and that such who live in the commission of them are not led by him, nor are under the influence of his grace:"
No, these behaviors ought not to be laid at the door of those who are called to be ambassadors of Christ. I'll finish up with Part II...I know, I know, there are several rabbit trails out there I need to finish!
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